Recall the GOP 5?

The efforts by California's Republican leadership to turn the capitol into the Baghdad rug bazaar -- where 53 demands are required for a couple of votes to put something on the ballot -- has made a mockery of our budget process. Perhaps it's time to use the nuclear option to fire back at legislators who have sent the Brown Administration a ransom note in exchange for simply allowing California voters the opportunity to make a choice about the scope of government services they require.

It's called a recall.

California law makes a recall tricky (see http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/recall.pdf for details). Short version: you have to serve the senator being recalled with reasons. They have seven days to reply. Then the Secretary of State then combines reasons and response into a petition. You have to get signatures equal to 20 percent of last vote for that office within 160 days. Then 60 to 80 days after signature verification is complete, the election takes place.

Unlike the bungled attempt to recall then-State Senator Jeff Denham, a coordinated recall effort could have a statewide focused message: "He didn't let us vote. Let's vote him out."

Ripe for recalls would be the GOP 5, all of whom are in districts that will likely be redrawn next year. Each will gain Democratic and Independent voters (both groups heavily favor a special election). A recall also would put the squeeze on these Republican voters from the right, with Tea Party types angry with these Republicans for even talking to Brown (confirmed by a new campaign launched today against them).

True, the timing of this wouldn't have much of an impact on current talks. But it sure might get their attention, just like it is in Wisconsin. Worth a thought.

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